"We Can Do It!"

As women were encouraged to take wartime jobs in defense industries, they became a celebrated symbol of female patriotism. But when the war ended, many industries forced women to relinquish their skilled jobs to returning veterans.

This poster is part of the political and military collections at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. It was designed for specific political purposes, and accordingly it may contain sensitive or offensive imagery specific to its historical function and period.